Inside Slant

July 10, 2014|Reuters

The Sports Xchange

NFL Team Report - San Diego Chargers - INSIDE SLANT

Chargers' forecast: Sunny, chance of success

As the San Diego Chargers prepare for their first training camp workout on July 24, they hope to sustain and improve the momentum they had at the end of last season, when they made a surprise playoff appearance.

Coach Mike McCoy made believers out of doubters by the end of last season and with some key additions on the roster that matches the usual local weather: plenty of sunshine.

While there are still blemishes on the roster, the Chargers think they are better with experience, better with personnel and better equipped to make a deeper run in the AFC playoffs.

"I like where we are right now," McCoy said after last month's minicamp.

What he likes is an offense that is entering Year Two of his quick-tempo approach that helped quarterback Philip Rivers produce the best season of his solid career, which does indeed give the Chargers a much better starting point than many teams.

Here is a closer look at some things that should be of interest in this training camp:

KEY POSITION BATTLE

--Cornerbacks: The Chargers had the AFC's worst pass defense last year, so they spent their first-round pick on Texas Christian cornerback Jason Verrett. Now they have to find out if he can play.

Shareece Wright likely remains one of the starting cornerbacks. But a battle is looming between Verrett and Richard Marshall, which should be among the spirited ones in camp. Marshall had 50 tackles last year and the same number of interceptions as Wright -- zero.

Verrett was the fourth cornerback selected in the draft after earning All-Big 12 honors last season. While his leaping and closing ability are impressive, what stands out as well is where he stands: 5-foot-9. The battle became more interesting when Brandon Flowers was signed in late June after being released by the Chiefs.

WEAKEST POSITION

--CORNERBACK: It's no mystery why the Chargers spent their top pick on cornerback Jason Verrett, even if he does stand a mere 5-foot-9. The Chargers were last in the AFC defending the pass. Consider this: the Chargers' cornerbacks combined for three interceptions last year. Two of the players collecting them, Derek Cox and Johnny Patrick, are no longer with the club.

So it's up to Verrett -- who is still mending from shoulder surgery -- and returnees Shareece Wright and Richard Marshall, to shore up the soft belly of the Chargers' defense. Add Brandon Flowers to the group, and it might not be the weakest any longer.

PLAYER WITH MOST TO PROVE

--Steve Williams, CB: Much was expected from Williams last year when he was drafted in the fifth round out of California. Instead, it was his Cal teammate, wide receiver Keenan Allen, who starred.

Williams' rookie year was a washout as he suffered a pectoral injury in the second preseason game and was lost for the season. But at the beginning of OTAs he was wrestling with Allen for balls on various routes, and better yet, winning.

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Williams needs to show he still has his skills to get back in the mix. The Chargers have Shareece Wright and Richard Marshall back as starters, and drafted TCU's Jason Verrett in the first round while also signing Flowers.

BEST LONGSHOT ROOKIE

--Tevin Reese, WR, Baylor, Round 7/240th overall: Reese gives the Chargers something they desperately need -- and that is a big dose of speed. His speed, measured at 4.41 seconds over 40 yards, not only can get him open, but it helps stretch defenses so tight end Antonio Gates can work underneath.

Quarterback Philip Rivers praised Reese after workouts, but said he has some learning to do. With Malcom Floyd returning from a serious neck injury, Reese could serve as an insurance policy to play opposite Keenan Allen and he can also help as a punt returner.

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NFL Team Report - San Diego Chargers - NOTES, QUOTES

--Running back Ryan Mathews is coming off his best season. Too bad that doesn't include the post-season. The Chargers rode Mathews hard last year down the stretch, leaning on him during a four-game winning streak that propelled them into the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

But Mathews had a balky ankle in the post-season that all but negated the team's top runner.

"It was hard not being able to finish the year out," Mathews said at the Chargers' minicamp. "Sixteen games is 16 games and that's what everyone wants to do, is play a whole season.

"But I really wasn't able to contribute in the games after the season, and those are the real games where it counts. And that is where my expectations are this year. I got to do more and do better so I can be there with my guys, so I can help them out as much as I can when we get there again."